Page:Romance & Reality 2.pdf/257

Rh acts of life seem mockery. It was a relief to both to be told Mr. Delawarr waited in the library: they afterwards learnt he had never entered the drawing-room since his wife's death. Nothing could be kinder or more affectionate than he was to Emily; still, there was an obvious change in himself. His general manner was colder, and more abrupt; he hurried the interview—he entered on no light or common topics of conversation—and at once avowed that his time was precious, and, almost before the door closed on his visitors, had earnestly resumed the business in which he was engaged on their entrance. "A statesman should have no feelings, no interests, no pleasures, but in the service of his country. Such," said Lady Mandeville, "Is the definition I once heard of a patriot. Mr. Delawarr bids fair to be that most inestimable but unattractive personage." Every preparation was now made: one day more and they were at Dover, and the next they embarked on board the steam-packet. Water has long owned man's power, and now "bodiless air works as his servant,"—a dominion frail, perilous, subject to chance and change, as all human power must be, but still a mighty and glorious influence to exercise over